The Story of Annabelle & Alison

by Lydia Rose

  Alison leaned over and said. “You’re going to have a limp after you heal.”

  “And that’s a reason to be happy?” Annabelle asked smarting as the pain ran down her leg.

  “Hey, it’s better than me having to shoot your toes off.” Alison chuckled.

  “You always find a bright spot in our darkest hour.”

  Alison nodded with a grin.

  Hank and Bill made good progress with the trench and pipe that day. Hank led Bill over to the shower. “Get yourself cleaned in the shower and come into the house when you’re done. I’ll see what I can scrounge up for dinner.”

  Bill walked into the tiny room wondering what a shower was. He went inside and saw a container hanging over him and saw the hose. “Water,” he whispered. He couldn’t remember the last time he was able to clean his body properly. He stripped his clothes and let the water run over his thin body. As he finished, he put on the cleanest clothes he had in his blanket and walked back toward the house. He knocked on the back door. “Sir.”

  “Come inside, Bill,” Hank said and pointed to a seat at the table. “We’ve got the leftover chicken and some biscuits.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Bill waited until Hank sat down before he began to eat.

  They both heard the truck pull up and turned toward the sound.

  “I guess they’re back,” Hank said going toward the front door. He watched Alison help Annabelle out of the truck. Annabelle was using a pair of crutches to walk to the door. Alison never let go of Annabelle’s arm as they approached.

  “Hi, dad,” Alison said with a smile.

  “Broken?” Hank asked.

  “In two places,” Alison answered.

  “Well, you two must be hungry. Come inside.” Hank held the door.

  As they reached the kitchen doorway, they both stopped.

  “Hello,” Alison said looking at the stranger.

  Bill stood up. “Hello, ma’am.”

  Hank walked in. “That’s Bill. He’s going to help me while you recuperate,” Hank said. “Bill this is my daughter Alison and her husband Belle.”

  Bill nodded. He now looked at Belle and then back at Alison. “It’s nice to meet you both.”

  Annabelle took a seat and Alison went to the refrigerator for the rest of the chicken. The four of them ate their dinner without much conversation. Once they were through, Hank stood up.

  “Come on, Bill. I’ll show you where you’ll sleep.”

  “Ma’am,” he said with a bow. “Thank you for the food.”

  “You’re quite welcome, Bill.”

  When Bill and Hank left the house, Annabelle turned to Alison. “He knows.”

  “Knows what?”

  “Didn’t you see the way he was looking at you and me?”

  “Don’t be silly. I saw a man who looked no better than the first time you showed up here.” Alison insisted.

  “I don’t like this,” Annabelle said.

  “Are you jealous that my father asked him to stay?” Alison stood up. “Let’s see if we can get you upstairs.”

  Slowly the two women walked up the flight of stairs. Alison closed the curtains and began to take off Annabelle’s clothes. “I’ll be right back. I want to get some fresh water.”

  Annabelle had this pit in her stomach. She worried that Bill would expose them to the world.

  Alison was getting the water when her father came back into the house.

  “So Belle’s going to be okay?”

  “Belle will heal. I’m sorry that you had to take on someone else,” Alison said quietly.

  Hank shrugged. “He needed a place and I needed the help. It worked out fine.”

  “You’re a softy, dad. I love you.” Alison hugged her father.

  “I love you too.” Hank looked down at the floor. “It was my fault that Belle broke his leg.”

  “It’s okay, dad. Belle told me.” Alison went to the sink so she wouldn’t be looking at her father. “I’ll try to be quiet,” she said softly.

  “You really love that man, don’t you?” Hank asked to his daughter’s back.

  “Yes, dad. I do with all my heart.”

  “Well, that’s all that matter. I’ll just have to stuff something in my ears,” Hank said with a chuckle.

  “Good night, dad.”

  “Good night, honey.”

  Alison washed off Annabelle’s body and put on the pajama top. “We’re going to have to ruin a pair of pants for you to wear,” Alison said buttoning the buttons on the top.

  Annabelle nodded. “I love you, Alison.” She kissed Alison’s nose.

  Alison smiled. “Looks like I’m going to be the one to do all the work when we make love again.”

  Annabelle’s eyes opened wide. “You still want to do that after. You know, your dad.”

  “We just had a nice talk. He feels bad that he was the cause of you breaking your leg. He knows I love you very much and we’re just expressing our love for each other.” Alison kissed Annabelle’s mouth softly. “Let’s get you into bed. I’m exhausted.”

  “Thank you for taking good care of me.” Annabelle squeezed Alison’s waist to her. “I love you.”

  “I love you too. Now get some rest.” Alison propped Annabelle’s leg on a pillow and changed her clothes.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  All Annabelle could do was sit on a chair in the yard watching Hank and Bill do the work she should have been doing.

  “I’ll get the plow and drag over some more pipe,” Hank said walking away.

  “How’s it going, Bill?” Annabelle asked.

  “It’s going fine, ma, sir,” Bill stumbled over the pronoun.

  Annabelle shot him a dirty look and Bill turned away.

  Alison came out of the house distracting them. “Bill, I’ve got some clothes for you,” she said walking toward them. “Get me your dirty clothes so I can wash them.”

  “That’s not necessary, ma’am.” Bill argued.

  “Don’t bother, Bill. Just say thank you.” Annabelle pointed at Alison. “You’ll never win that battle. So just give up now.”

  “Thank you, ma’am,” Bill said taking the clothes from Alison and walked over to the shed.

  “How are you feeling?” Alison asked dropping her hands onto Annabelle’s shoulders.

  “I wish I could be helping.” Annabelle mumbled.

  Alison chuckled. “Can’t sit still, can you?”

  “No,” Annabelle grumbled.

  Bill returned and handed his clothes to Alison. She looked at the threadbare clothes. “Hardly worth washing.”

  “They’re fine for working, ma’am.”

  “Please call me Alison, Bill.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I mean Alison.”

  Hank came back with the pipe and the two men went back to work.

  “Do you have to be so nice to him?” Annabelle asked when Bill walked away.

  Alison giggled. “Are you jealous?”

  Annabelle shrugged.

  Alison stood in front of Annabelle and reached for her chin. “You are the only one I want, Belle.” She kissed her lips softly and went to do the wash.

  By the end of the day, Hank and Bill were almost at the house with their pipe.

  “It won’t be too long before we have an indoor facility,” Hank said rubbing his chin as Bill went off to get cleaned up. “He’s a hard worker. Reminds me of you, Belle.” Hank went into the house for clean clothes and a towel. By the time he came out, Bill was just leaving the shower. “I hope he left me enough water.”

  Bill came out of the shed and walked toward Annabelle. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

  “Do you fish, Bill?”

  “Yes.”

  “Maybe after dinner, you can try your luck down by the river?”

  “Sure.” Bill finally smiled.

  “We’ve also caught crawfish in that river. Alison makes a great stew with them.” Annabelle offered.

  “If you have traps, I’ll set them.” Bill offered.


  “I’ll show you after dinner where the traps are.” Annabelle stood up and put the crutches under her arms.

  “Can I help you get inside?” Bill asked.

  Annabelle shot him a look. “I can manage, but you can hold the door for me.” She didn’t want his hands on her.

  “Have a seat, Belle,” Alison said when she walked into the kitchen. “You must be sore from sitting in that chair all day.”

  “I’m fine,” Annabelle said not looking at Bill.

  After dinner, Annabelle showed Bill the traps and Alison joined them with the food scraps. She left them alone in the barn and went back to the house.

  “You’ll have to check them in the morning and see if you got lucky.” Annabelle handed him the fishing pole. “I wish I could go with you.”

  “Maybe in a little while you’ll let me help get you down there.” Bill offered.

  Annabelle looked at the ground not meeting Bill’s stare.

  “I’m not here to hurt you, Belle.”

  “What does that mean?” Annabelle asked showing anger in her voice.

  “Meaning, you and I aren’t that different,” Bill said quietly.

  “What does that mean?”

  Bill looked at Annabelle. “I was in love with someone too.” Annabelle let him continue. “It was with a man.”

  Annabelle’s jaw dropped. “What happened?”

  “He died.” Bill eyes showed the pain hidden there. “You’re lucky to have Alison. She’s a wonderful woman.”

  “She is and I was lucky to have her fall in love with me.”

  “Her father doesn’t know, does he?”

  Annabelle shook her head. “No.”

  “But you’re married?” Bill asked.

  “That’s a long story, Bill. I’ll tell you about it one day.”

  “Belle, your secret is safe with me as I hope mine is too.”

  Annabelle nodded and shook his hand. Bill went off to the woods and Annabelle worked her way back to the house. She found Alison sitting on the front porch mending Bill’s clothes.

  “He knows,” Annabelle said softly.

  “Bill?” Alison asked as Annabelle nodded. “Did he say something?”

  “Yes.”

  “Will he tell?” Alison asked touching Annabelle’s arm.

  “No. He’s like us.” Annabelle answered.

  “He’s not a woman,” Alison said knowing Bill had a short beard.

  “No, but he likes men.” Annabelle took Alison’s hand. “The man he loved died.”

  “I feel so bad for him, Belle. I’m glad he found us.” Alison put her mending down on her lap. “He has your eyes and coloring, Belle.”

  Annabelle’s eyes snapped to Alison. “Where are you going with this?”

  “He might be able to help us someday.”

  Annabelle shook her head. “He’s not touching you, Alison. Never,” she said firmly.

  Alison laughed. “Calm down, Belle. I’ve seen farmers help the cows and horses get pregnant.”

  “You’re not a cow or a horse, Alison.” Annabelle shook her head. “No.”

  Alison didn’t continue to argue with Annabelle. She would have to ease this idea on her slowly.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  It was time for Annabelle’s cast to come off. She asked Bill to get a pair of pliers and get that annoying thing off her leg. He helped her into the barn and began removing the hard cast.

  “Let me know if I hurt you,” Bill said as he began pulling the cast apart.

  Annabelle and Bill had become good friends over the past two months. The three of them would sit on the front porch talking in the evening while Hank went to visit Chet.

  Alison went into the house to the new bathroom.

  “Alison spoke with me, Belle,” Bill said quietly. “I told her I would help.”

  Annabelle looked at him knowing immediately what he was talking about. “Thank you Bill, but no.”

  “Alison wants a baby, Belle.”

  “Well, she should have married a man then.” Annabelle was angry.

  “I thought you told me you’d do anything for her?” Bill asked softly.

  “Not that,” Annabelle said with a sneer.

  “Why not?”

  “It’s not right.”

  “Oh and two women loving each other is okay with the rest of the world.” Bill touched her arm. “Think about it before you say no. Remember how much you love your wife before you refuse her this request.” Bill got up and left the porch.

  “Where’s Bill?” Alison asked when she came back outside.

  “I think to bed.”

  “Is everything okay between you two?” Alison asked concerned.

  “We’re fine.” Annabelle wanted to tell Alison to forget her plan, but she remembered Bill’s words. I’ll think about it and then say no.

  Over the next few months, Annabelle found herself watching Bill. She stared at his face and when he finally shaved, she could see the resemblance the two shared that Alison had seen. Then her fears would come to the surface if this plan worked, she could lose Alison in childbirth. Annabelle was torn in giving Alison what she wanted and the fear of losing her.

  As they got into bed, Annabelle turned her back on Alison. As she laid there, she heard Alison crying softly. She reached for the lantern and turned it on. “What’s wrong?” Annabelle asked worried.

  “Are you falling in love with Bill?” Alison asked in between sobs.

  “What?” Annabelle asked almost laughing.

  “I see the way you look at him. You’re always staring at him.” Alison wiped her nose. “You used to look at me that way.”

  Annabelle rolled Alison onto her back. “Honey, I love Bill, but I’m not in love with him.” Annabelle kissed her lips. “He told me months ago that you asked him to help us. I can see the resemblance you talked about, but I’m afraid to lose you.”

  “Oh, honey.” Alison squeezed Annabelle. “You won’t lose me.”

  “You don’t know that. Your mother,” Annabelle choked on the words. “I know you want to have a baby, but I’m scared.”

  “Belle, it might never work.” Alison admitted her fears.

  “I know that and I think it would only make you more disappointed.”

  “Belle, I’m willing to try if you are.” Alison wiped her nose again. “If it doesn’t work, then at least we tried.”

  Annabelle nodded. “I’ll talk with Bill tomorrow.”

  The three agreed to try when they knew Hank would be out of the house for an extended period of time. The minute he left for Chet’s house, the plan went into action. Bill would do his thing and Annabelle would take the sample and bring it to the master bedroom. Annabelle and Bill couldn’t look at each other as she collected the cup the first time.

  Annabelle walked into the room and saw Alison smiling. She was waiting for her naked under the covers. Annabelle put the cup down on the nightstand and striped her clothes. “I want to make love to you before we try this.”

  Annabelle kissed her way down Alison’s body. She loved the feel of this woman. She loved her taste, her smell and the way Alison loved her. After their lovemaking, Annabelle took the baster and inserted it into Alison. As she did, she kissed her lips. Annabelle’s eyes never left her face as the last of the sperm went into her.

  They tried over and over the next three months. They tried making love before. Not making love. Nothing was working and they both were losing hope.

  “I don’t want to try anymore, Belle. It’s not working and I don’t think it ever will.” Alison sniffled. “We gave it our best shot and I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”

  “Are you sure, Alison? We can keep trying or if you want Bill to, you know.” Annabelle couldn’t say the words. How could she offer to have Bill make love to her?

  “No, Belle. If I can’t get pregnant by looking into your eyes, then I don’t want a baby.”

  “Are you sure, Alison? I could be here while he.”

  Alison
put her finger to Annabelle’s lips. “No, honey.”

  Annabelle told Bill the following day.

  “It’s only been three months, Belle. You really haven’t given it a chance to work.”

  “Bill, Alison doesn’t want to try anymore. I can’t stand to see her disappointed any longer either.” She patted Bill on the back. “We appreciate what you were willing to do for us.”

  “I was so looking forward to this baby.” Bill looked up and saw Hank get into his truck. “Can’t we at least give it one more try? Once more, Belle.”

  Annabelle shrugged and they went into the house. “Wait here, Bill.” She went up the stairs and found Alison changing the bed. “Al, can we try just once more?”

  Alison looked at her wife’s face and smiled. “Is it that important to you?”

  Annabelle nodded. “And to Bill.”

  So the three of them gave it one more shot.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  As Thanksgiving approached, the three new friends were always laughing and joking together. Hank watched them play a game of cards and was happy that he had such a wonderful family. He felt as though he not only had a daughter, but two fine sons. Those two men would always be there for help, for support and to take care of his daughter.

  It was another morning that Alison woke up sick. Annabelle placed a damp cloth on her head and left her in bed. She went downstairs to make her tea and toast.

  “Please try to eat this, honey?” Annabelle asked as she came back to the room.

  “I can’t, Belle.”

  “Please.” Annabelle begged.

  Alison sat up and drank the tea and ate some of the toast. No sooner did she finish, it came back up.

  “Annabelle, just leave me alone. I need to just close my eyes for a while.” Alison was so pale.

  Annabelle took the basin down worried that something was very wrong with Alison.

  “Where’s Alison?” Hank asked when she came out of the bathroom.

  “She’s sick again. I tried to give her tea and toast, but she couldn’t keep it down,” Annabelle said worried with fear.

  “Breakfast is on the table. Go eat and I’ll talk to her.” Hank went up the stairs and knocked on the door.